General Information

St.John’s has been reordered in recent times, with a central altar, and the liturgy is modern catholic and inclusive.

The parish has welcomed all visitors of other denominations and those who regularly receive communion in their own church are encouraged to receive the sacrament with us.

There is a wide range of services. The regular weekly Sunday 8am Holy Communion follows the Book of Common Prayer on the first Sunday of the month. On other Sundays Common Worship (Traditional Form) is used. The 10am Eucharist uses Common Worship (Modern Form). For all services we use the Church of England version of the Revised Common Lectionary. In addition to this there is a 9am café-style Breakfast Worship in the hall on the first Sunday of every month. This lasts about 40 minutes. Once a month (usually on the Sunday following Messy Church and therefore usually on the third Sunday in the month) the 10am service takes the form of a simpler Family Eucharist. On most other Sundays the full modern rite is used.

Other regular weekly services take place along with seasonal services.

A weekly newsletter is prepared by the Parish Office and distributed at each Sunday service.

For the regular Sunday Services, there is a rota for members of the congregation to read the bible readings and psalm and to lead the Intercessions. For the 10am Sunday Service a rota is operated for sidespersons, as well as for presenting the Elements.

Coffee and biscuits are usually provided in the Church Hall for the congregation to meet after the 10am Sunday service and on other occasions.

There is a Sacristan and servers who assist in the Liturgy at the 10am Sunday service and other important services throughout the year. There is a team of Eucharistic Assistants who share with the President in administering Holy Communion.

The Reserved Sacrament has been taken on a regular basis (and on an occasional basis for Easter and Christmas) to a number of congregation members who cannot attend church services. Some of these live in their own home, others in sheltered accommodation.

A Prayer Chain has been established for those who ask for support in times of crisis or sudden illness.

There is a Prayer Diary and daily Intentions sheet which is used in Church with copies available for people to take home.

St John’s has a number of regular house groups. Alpha courses have been held in the past. During Lent there are usually joint ecumenical groups held throughout the parish, together with weekly shared lunches.

We regularly go into the significant residential homes in the Parish. Either one of the clergy will preside at a simple Eucharist or the Sacrament is taken out by our Lay Pastoral Assistants, who are also Eucharistic Administrators. Any of the homes may call for a pastoral visit at the request of residents’ families for pastoral support